21. Alicent's hair net & pregnancy dress of episode 3
22. her red dress later in episode 4, confronting Rhaenyra
23. having Larys kill Harwin & Lyonel -- > makes the most sense out of the speculations for how they died

18. the je-nais-se-quois of Young!Rhaenyra's manner; Older!Rhaenyra seemed held back by the script
19. *Vaemond's death (sort of, parts of it)
20. the cinematography of Aemond's chasing Lucerys & Lucerys' death (not the "accident" or the Aemond yelling "No!")

17. Alicent's scene w/Dyana -- showed, rather than told, the deal with her, her priorities, her relationship w/Aegon, and Aegon's own character in what I thought was very blunt about how Aegon's protection from accountability & Alicent's own hypocrisies

16. the times Alicent stopped Rhaenyra from probably getting the council to take her plans for the Stepstones seriously by pointing out her leaking breasts; comment to Laenor abt his kids looking like him---but not her at council at all (bc it actually doesn't make sense)...when Alicent was herself

15. *the Velaryons--anyone in a high aristocratic position, being Black & being crucial figures to the story and its protagonist (this one's conflicting for me, & for not the reasons people might think)

It's also canon-compliant; the obviousness of Rhaenys' love for her grandkids
13. Rhaenyra shutting Otto down in the selection of guardsmen for her and her father [epi 2]
14. epi 2: the parts where Rhaenyra flies in on Syrax & her confrontation w/Daemon

12. most of episodes 4 & 7: most of Rhaenyra w/Daemon in Flea Bottom & their steamy encounter; all of Alicent & Rhaenyra's confrontation; Alicent & Rhaenyra's fight over their sons' fight; Corlys' support for the V boys, esp Lucerys. It played genuine and seemed like he actually cared for this kid.

9. Harwin Strong/Ryan Corr
10. Rhaenyra killing the boar & the white stag scenes
11. making Baela and Rhaena part of the fight scene where Aemond's confronted after claiming Vhagar

and I just can't get behind show!Rhaenyra not bc Daemon isn't written weird but bc people insist that bk!Rhaenyra HAD to be changed bc somehow her character is implied as worse?!
8. Rhaenyra & Daemon's dynamic & chemistry all *before* the last episode...and I mean ALL of the last episode

5. most of the hair on the noble female extras
6. Rhaenys' hair accessories (not the hair)
7. Matt Smith: his acting, his performance, AND his complete understanding of Daemon; all the actors really carry this show w/their performances, like Emma, but he's my favorite *bc* of said understanding...

1. the dragons and their visual diversity
2. Rhaenyra's investiture outfit from head to toe [in pic above]
3. Alicent's hair (both Young and Older)..it's always laid & glorious...& I love all sorts of red hair
4. Daemon's episodes 3, 4, & 5 hair

& why HotD makes certain characterizations & storylines.

Sometimes it may be a production/exec thing...sometimes it is not. And if one bothers to actually investigate how HotD tells and chooses to present certain conflicts or motivations & see HOW they change things, you'll see.

adaptation's features & storylines as that, esp when they either don't read between lines when reading or haven't read the original books AND/OR don't care to for xyz.

Thus, I say that if people love their 2 canons so much, I hope they always keep the same energy & critically assess how---